Articles tagged with Gene Duplication
A new approach to gene editing has been developed by scientists at UMass Medical School, allowing for the correction of microduplications associated with 143 different diseases. The strategy uses CRISPR/Cas9 and harnesses the homology-directed repair pathway to remove duplicated sequences and restore functional genes.
A Baylor College of Medicine study reveals extensive single Watson-Crick base pair mutations contribute to the characteristics of Potocki-Lupski and Smith-Magenis syndromes. The research identifies two groups of patients: those with recurrent and non-recurrent genetic changes.
Grasses have multiple copies of a gene that induces flowering during long days, but one duplicate has been repurposed to be expressed during short days, giving some grasses a new way to prepare for spring. This adaptation allows them to flower quickly in spring, providing an edge in the race to produce seeds.
MeCP2 duplication syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting mainly boys, may benefit from new treatments by blocking key protein interactions. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh identified a crucial part of the protein binding to NCoR as responsible for disease symptoms, paving the way for therapies that target this interaction.
A team of scientists combined fossil and genetic data to infer that ancient animals with complex eyes were likely colour-vision capable, providing insights into the evolution of vision.
Researchers found that vertebrate genomes underwent two whole genome duplications, driving the evolution of genetic characteristics. The study, published in Nature, also revealed regulatory mechanisms shared between lancelets and vertebrates, shifting our understanding of gene control along the evolutionary timeline.
A DNA study of over 6,000 dogs found that a specific genetic duplication on chromosome 18 is strongly associated with blue eyes in Siberian Huskies. This discovery sheds light on the genetic underpinnings of eye color in dogs and demonstrates the power of consumer genomic data.
The opium poppy's genome has been sequenced to understand its pain-relieving properties, with a notable whole-genome duplication event occurring around 7.8 million years ago.
Researchers have identified a key Sox gene that regulates segmentation during spider development, similar to its role in insects. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary secrets behind arthropod body formation.
Researchers have identified new species and genus among placozoans, a group of one-millimeter-long marine animals. The study used genomics to reveal genetic diversity within populations, suggesting that they may have diverged despite remaining morphologically similar.
Researchers found that human-specific NOTCH2NL genes regulate cortical neurogenesis and contribute to the growth of the cerebral cortex. This discovery sheds new light on human cognitive evolution and may lead to breakthroughs in treating brain developmental disorders.
Researchers discovered three human-specific genes influencing brain size, involved in genetic defects associated with neurological disorders. The genes, part of the Notch family, regulate neural stem cell development and delayed maturation, leading to larger brain sizes in humans.
A study by researchers at the University of Chicago found that duplicate copies of a gene in fruit flies evolved separate male- and female-specific functions, resolving competing demands between sexes. These changes occurred rapidly, with the genes specializing relatively quickly.
Researchers have discovered two new genes responsible for the formation of fan-like structures on the legs of a specific water strider species. The findings suggest that genetic mutations can lead to the emergence of new structures that affect an organism's lifestyle and access to ecological niches.
Researchers identified two genes, geisha and mother-of-geisha, controlling water strider fan development in new environments. The discovery highlights the role of taxon-restricted genes in adaptation to fast-flowing stream environments.
Researchers sequenced the genome of wild olive trees, uncovering insights into oil biosynthesis and the evolution of olive oil production. The study found that ancient gene duplication events led to increased expression of genes involved in oleic acid production.
Researchers have discovered a whole genome duplication in the evolution of spiders and scorpions, suggesting they shared an ancestor over 400 million years ago. This event is thought to have led to changes in gene expression, contributing to the diversification of these species.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have caught primary metabolism in the act of evolving, revealing a novel form of an enzyme that produces tyrosine. This breakthrough could lead to increased production of essential compounds, such as vitamin E and opioids.
Researchers at the University of Rochester discovered a process where wasps co-opt single copy genes to take on new functions, including in their venom glands and other parts of their anatomy.
The study found deletions in NRXN1 and duplications in CNTN6 genes linked to an increased risk of Tourette syndrome. These genetic variants affect brain development and may contribute to the disease's progression.
A UCLA study found that people with a 22q deletion have thicker gray matter but less brain surface area compared to those with a duplication. In contrast, those with 22q duplications have thinner gray matter and larger brain surface areas, suggesting differences in social functioning regions.
A team of researchers has elucidated the molecular architecture of the nuclear lamina in mammalian cells using cryo-electron tomography. The study reveals a 14nm-thick layer with threadlike structures called lamin filaments, which assemble into polymers consisting of type A and B lamin proteins.
A team of researchers from Universitêl Laval cast doubt on the idea that genetic redundancy makes organisms more resilient to genetic perturbations. They found that paralogous genes in bread yeast were more often necessary for cellular function than previously thought, highlighting a potential vulnerability to mutations.
A team of researchers has identified the earliest-acting protein needed for cell division, which is critical for organizing cell division in animals. The discovery, made using roundworms, revealed a key advance in understanding centriole duplication, a process vital to cell division and cilia function.
Researchers have discovered 75 groups of 'critical paralog' genes essential for cellular communication and signalling pathways. These findings will aid in guiding drug targets and identifying biomarkers for diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers have identified the cluster of genes responsible for reproductive traits in Primula flowers, which Charles Darwin first noted as important over 150 years ago. The study reveals that these genes, controlled by a supergene known as the S locus, are specific to one form of flower and date back 51.7 million years.
A new bioinformatics tool has revealed that the evolution of white rot wood decay strategies in fungi involves a general elaboration of the decay apparatus, including numerous enzymes with unknown functions. The study found 409 genes associated with white rot wood decay, shedding light on the complexity of this process.
HybPiper is a streamlined pipeline for processing target-enrichment data, extracting coding and intronic regions, and detecting duplicate gene copies. The tool allows researchers to quickly analyze large amounts of DNA sequencing data, facilitating accurate species relationships.
The Xenopus laevis genome shows that hybridization between two extinct species led to a doubling of genes and the emergence of tetraploidy. Researchers found nearly a thousand non-functional genes, revealing insights into ancient genome duplication events in vertebrates.
Researchers discovered a genetic link between high tryptase levels, multiple copies of the alpha tryptase gene, and a range of symptoms including dizziness, skin flushing, and gastrointestinal issues. The study provides new insights into the cause of this frustrating syndrome and potential strategies for diagnosis and treatment.
Recent studies on plant polyploidy have shed light on its significance in shaping plant diversity and ecology. The special issue in American Journal of Botany highlights the latest developments and research in the field, including the origins of polyploidy, evolutionary consequences, and impacts on plant ecology.
Researchers used computer simulations to model chromosomes and found that reorganization occurs only on small spatial scales and short time scales. The study aims to develop new methodologies for visualizing genome distances smaller than 0.1 Mbp, improving our understanding of chromatin behavior during interphase.
Scientists at KIT discovered that the synchronized repair of two single-strand breaks consistently leads to tandem duplications of shorter sequences near the break locations. Using CRISPR/Cas system like molecular scissors, they found a new mechanism for the formation of tandem repeat DNA sequences in plant genomes.
Researchers at Newcastle University have identified a new essential sequence within bacterial genomes required for DNA replication, dubbed the DnaA-trio. This discovery sheds light on a fundamental biological process shared among all living organisms and opens doors to studying enigmatic replication origin elements in higher organisms.
Researchers analyzed genome sequences of fungi to understand their environmental response mechanisms. They found that whole-genome duplication led to the development of specialized genes enabling refined signal perception, which could aid in natural control of metabolic processes and biofuels production.
New research from the University of Oxford used bacteria to show that acquiring duplicate copies of genes can provide a template for developing new traits. Gene duplication has been proposed as playing a key role in innovation since the 1970s, but these findings add important empirical evidence to support this theory.
Researchers have discovered a molecular fingerprint of some deadly cancers, including a genomic configuration called the tandem duplicator phenotype (TDP) that is enriched in triple-negative breast cancer and other types. This TDP is sensitive to cisplatin chemotherapy and can be scored using a genome-based formula.
Researchers found that UPF3A protein plays critical role in RNA regulation and male fertility, potentially leading to new treatments for infertility and various genetic diseases. The study also reveals the importance of NMD pathway in eliminating faulty mRNAs and preventing disease.
The tick genome provides valuable biological resources for controlling ticks and understanding disease transmission. Researchers identified proteins involved in the interactions between deer ticks and pathogens, offering insights into developing strategies to halt tick-borne diseases.
A study published in Nature reveals that MECP2 Duplication Syndrome can be reversed using an antisense oligonucleotide strategy. The therapy, tested on adult mice with the condition, normalized symptoms after four weeks and restored normal brain function.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered a new potential treatment for MECP2 duplication syndrome by normalizing MeCP2 levels using antisense oligonucleotides. This approach largely reversed behavioral, molecular, and other deficits in mice, providing hope for human treatment.
Researchers propose a two-phase model describing gene loss patterns after whole genome duplication in teleost fishes, the largest group of bony fishes. Approximately 80% of duplicate genes were lost within the first 60 million years, with slower gene loss occurring in subsequent phases.
A new study reveals that spiders' knees evolved from a duplicated gene called dac, allowing for a unique leg structure. The research team discovered that the dac2 gene is specific to spider development and plays a crucial role in forming the kneecap.
A new study proposes that the common baker's yeast genome was duplicated by mating between two distinct species, contradicting the current widely accepted theory. The researchers used advanced computational methods to study the origins of the whole genome duplication in yeast.
Researchers propose a new theory on the origin of yeast's whole genome duplication, suggesting it was caused by hybridization between two species. This finding contradicts the current scientific consensus and provides new insight into the process of genome evolution.
A new study at Cornell University identifies a gene duplication causing cucumbers to produce only female flowers, leading to increased yields in greenhouse production. The research builds on previous work and shows that the genetic variation affects over 1,600 genes in the cucumber genome.
Researchers identified three cancer-promoting genes in choroid plexus carcinoma, a rare and often fatal brain tumor. The discovery provides hope for effective treatment with investigational drugs called ATR inhibitors.
Gene duplication events in early vertebrate evolution led to the development of novel functions in vertebrate eyes, including distinct opsins and transducin proteins. These specializations enable vertebrates to adapt to their environments, such as detecting ultraviolet light and responding to varying light intensities.
Researchers found that mutations in MECP2 lead to increased expression of long genes, which are often greater than 100,000 nucleotides in length. This overexpression may be a distinctive signature of Rett Syndrome and related disorders.
A new study reveals that carnivorous bladderwort Utricularia gibba packs an impressive number of genes into its tiny genome, outperforming well-known plant species. The plant's unique genetic architecture allows it to thrive in aquatic environments, boasting floating branches and miniature traps that capture prey using vacuum pressure.
A study has found that certain genetic variants in a baby's DNA may increase the risk of preterm birth. The researchers analyzed the DNA of hundreds of babies and their mothers, finding a link between duplicated or deleted genes in the babies and an increased risk of early birth.
A recent study sequencing the complete genomes of 45 avian species reveals that avian genomes have slower rates of evolutionary change compared to mammals. This finding suggests a larger-scale pattern of evolutionary stasis in avian genomes, with fewer opportunities for gene duplication and functional innovation.
Researchers at the NIH have found a duplication of a short stretch of the X chromosome in people with a rare disorder that causes excessive childhood growth. They believe that a single gene within the region likely has a large influence on how much children grow.
Scientists found that plant genome duplication enables herbaceous plants to regenerate and become more fertile after being damaged. The study showed that increased genome duplication leads to an increase in cell growth and production of key proteins.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin discovered a mechanism called 'mutational robustness' that explains how gene duplication leads to novel functions and survival across long evolutionary timescales. This breakthrough has implications for understanding genome evolution and the importance of redundancy in organisms.
Recent advancements reveal polyploidy's ubiquitous nature, facilitating instant speciation and increasing biodiversity. Genome doubling is now recognized as a crucial evolutionary force, especially in plant lineages.
Researchers have found that Topo 2, an essential enzyme for chromosome separation, needs more time to untangle long chromosomes, which can lead to mutations and cancer. The study suggests that chromosome length affects the enzyme's action and highlights the importance of understanding cell division.
A team of researchers has identified a unique molecular mechanism involved in DNA duplication during cell division, revealing how a key enzyme governs DNA through a gated system. The study suggests a route for stopping cell division in diseases like cancer by controlling the entry point of the helicase onto DNA.
Researchers found that African elephants have the largest number of olfactory receptor genes, with almost 2,000 OR genes. This unique repertoire is likely important for their living environment and allows them to detect subtle scents.
Researchers captured a genetic snapshot of maize 10 million years ago and traced how it used copied genes to cope with domestication pressures. These gene copies played a vital role in optimizing photosynthesis in maize leaves.